Joe Moss And the Smiths

Back In Manchester, England I was able to excavate some personal rock myths I’ve dined off for years. Speaking with my cousin Ramsey Hammour, I confirmed that Tony Wilson was a regular at the private bar we frequented “the Film Exchange” though it was before Wilson had started Factory Records. Ramsey’s sister Shereen’s partner David worked at Hacienda as a bartender when he was seventeen and claims the place was exactly as insane as legend had it (I left Manchester before it opened). Ramsey remembers us knowing Marc Bolan.

But more interestingly, my assumption that the Smiths had a connection with my family because they reheased at my Uncle’s warehouse was illuminated. The Smith’s first manager was Joe Moss. Joe Moss was in the rag trade, he ran “Crazy Face” -a boutique, in my Uncle’s building, and I knew him but he was good pals with Ramsey. Ramsy knew the Smiths as well.



Ramsy ran into Joe the other day “He was growing older like any of us,” Ramsey noted, “But he was much the same, always with a lot going on. He bailed on the Smiths because they got too big and he couldn’t handle it.” Ramsey explained. An act of self-awareness that should guarantee him a one way ticket to heaven, I say. “We said we’d keep in touch but you know what its like. Joe now promotes local bands in Japan”. Long may he do so.